Tuning device



Patented Nov. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TUNING DEVICE dianaApplication September 27, 1937, Serial No. 165,930

Claims.

This invention relates to tuning devices and more particularly todevices having a tuning member such as a fork or bar and to novel meansmounting and striking the same.

5 One of the objects of the invention is to provide a tuning device inwhich the tuning member is firmly supported in such a manner as not todampen its vibration or to interfere with the clarity of its tone.

W Another object of the invention is to provide a tuning deviceincluding a tuning member carrying rigid supporting pins which areengaged by brackets or the like to mount the member.

Another object of the invention is to provide 3 a supporting bracket fora tuning member including a rigid part to be secured to a base or thelike and a relatively soft resilient part to ensage and support thetuning member.

Still another object is to provide a tuning device including a strikerwhich is so arranged as to strike the tuning member at the desired pointand in the desired manner.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will beapparent from the following description when read in connection with theaccompanying drawing, in which, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectionthrough a tuning device embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan View with parts broken away;

Figure 3 is a partial section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 and Figure 4is a side view of a modified construction.

While the invention is applicable to tuning devices employing tuningmembers of any desired form, it has been illustrated in connection withan elongated tuning bar H3 supported at two points along its length. Thetuning bar ri idly carries two pairs of rigid pins I2 extendinglaterally from opposite sides of the bar and so spaced on the length ofthe bar as to lie at natural node points therein.

The bar is mounted on a base l4 hollowed out as at 16 to form an aircolumn resonant with the bar. The base may be provided with felt pads 18to support it on a fiat surface and with a pivoted eyelet 20 by which itmay be suspended if desired.

In order to support the bar on the base there are provided, according tothe present invention, a plurality of rubber brackets having relativelyhard lower portions 22 to be secured to the base by screws or the likeas shown in Figure 3 and relatively soft upper portions 24 formed withsuitable holes to receive the pins l2. The portions 22 and 24 areintimately vulcanized together, the line of demarkation between the hardand soft rubber being indicated by the curved dotted lines in Figure land by the changed 5 angle of the hatching in Figure 3. This arrangementsecurely fastens the tuning bar to the base against displacement in anydirection and at the same time provides a resilient mounting which doesnot dampen or otherwise interfere with the 10 tone produced by the bar.

Means are provided for striking the bar, such means as shown comprisinga rod 26 flattened adjacent one end and carrying a transverse pin 28. Aball 36 of rubber or the like is mounted on the rod 28 adjacent one endand forms the member for striking the bar H3. The base l4 carries abracket 32 having an upturned end slotted to receive the flattenedportion of the rod 26 and grooved on one side to receive the 20 ends ofthe pin 28. A post 34 carried by the bracket serves as a mounting forone end of a tension spring 36, the other end of which is attached tothe rod 26.

The parts normally occupy the position shown 5 in Figure 1 with the rod26 and spring 36 alined with the grooves in bracket 32 and the point ofattachment of the spring to post 34. It will be noted that the tensionof the spring holds the pin 23 in the grooves in the bracket so that the30 rod 26 will pivot about the axis of the pin. To strike the bar, thefree end of rod 26 is depressed and released, the tension of spring 36swinging it back to cause the ball 30 to strike the end of the bar asharp blow. With this arrangement 35 the ball will strike the bar onlyonce for each operation, the spring damping any tendency of the rod tooscillate and centering it immediately.

Figure 4 shows a modified bracket construction, 40 the other parts beingthe same as those of Figures l to 3 and being indicated by the samerefence characters. In this construction the brackets are formed ofmetal strips 38 having right angle extensions screwed to the base andhaving 45 their upper ends bent around as at 46 to receive and supportsoft rubber bushings 42. The bushings 42 are formed with holes toreceive the pins l2 whereby the bar I0 is supported in much the samemanner as in the embodiment of Figures 50 1 to 3.

While two embodiments of the invention have been shown and described itis to be understood that these are for purposes of illustration only andthat the scope of the invention is not to 55 be limited thereto orotherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A tuning device comprising a flat tuning bar, a plurality of pinsrigidly carried by and projecting from the sides of said tuning bar, abase, and a plurality of pairs of brackets secured to said base, saidpairs being arranged near the opposite ends of said bar with thebrackets on opposite sides of the bar, said brackets having soft rubberparts forming permanent parts of the brackets and engaging said pins tosupport the tuning member on the base.

2. A tuning device comprising a tuning bar, two pairs of pins rigidlysecured to the bar, the pins of each pair being mounted opposite eachother in the sides of the bar near one end of the bar and extendinglaterally therefrom, a base and one-piece rubber brackets secured to thebase and engaging said pins to support the bar on the base.

3. A tuning device comprising a tuning bar, a plurality of pins rigidlysecured to the bar and extending laterally therefrom, a base, andonepiece brackets having relatively hard portions secured to the baseand soft non-metallic portions engaging said pins to support the bar onthe base.

4. A tuning device comprising a tuning member, a base, means forsupporting the tuning member on the base, an elongated striker having atransverse pivot pin intermediate its length, a bifurcated bracket onthe base against which said pin is adapted to rest, and a tension springsecured at one end to the base and at its other end to one end of thestriker and holding said pin against the bracket.

5. A tuning device comprising a tuning memher, a plurality of transversepins carried by the tuning member, a base, brackets carried by the baseand engaging said pins for supporting the tuning member 0n the base, anelongated striker having a transverse pivot pin intermediate its length,a bifurcated bracket on the base against which said pin is adapted torest, and a tension spring secured at one end to the base and at itsother end to one end of the striker and holding said pin against thebracket.

CHARLES HULTSCH.

